Managing Stress: Expert Solutions to Everyday Challenges Book

Mentor's Message: Why Manage Stress?     xi
Managing Stress: The Basics     1
Overload and Toxic Worry     3
The word on worry     4
Why be concerned about stress?     4
The basic equation of worry     7
Bad things really do happen     7
Positive Stress and Productive Worry     11
The dynamic power of worry     12
The business value of wise worry     12
Different strokes for different folks     13
Assessing Your Stress Level     15
Do you have a problem?     16
Major work stressors     16
Signs of dis-stress     20
Levels of stress     20
Taking Charge of Stress     23
Acceptance-or action?     24
Reversing the basic equation of worry     24
Applying the four-step approach     25
Maintaining your work/life balance     26
Turning Worry into Action     29
A three-step strategy     30
Evaluate     31
Plan     33
Remediate     36
Connecting with Others     39
Making connections     40
Understanding the disconnectedworkplace     40
Unleashing the power of connectedness     42
Using connections to foster community     43
Achieving quick-fix connections     44
Connecting with Yourself     49
Using self-talk     50
Eroding the destructive power of negative thoughts     50
Tuning in to your self-talk     51
Identifying and avoiding common mind traps     51
Challenging self-talk distortions     52
Choosing positive self-talk     53
Letting Your Body Help You Relieve Stress     55
Understanding stress's impact on the body     56
Committing to exercise     57
Eating healthfully     58
Sleeping restfully     59
Mastering the relaxation response     60
Practicing Good Stress Habits     63
Avoiding stress stimulants     64
Adopting stress busters     65
Tips and Tools     69
Tools for Managing Stress     71
Test Yourself     75
Answers to test questions     77
Frequently Asked Questions     81
To Learn More     85
Sources for Managing Stress     89
Notes      91